Although the Adirondack region has long been recognized for cold-water species such as brook trout, lake trout and landlocked salmon, it is the warm-water species of bass, perch and northern pike that continue to offer the most accessible angling opportunities.

While trout and salmon have traditionally been prized as gamefish, bass have remained primarily a blue collar species. Bass can be found from the local farm ponds to the mighty Hudson, and in a variety of waters that may not appear to be fit for man or beast.

It seems incredible that bass are now responsible for the creation of a multi-billion dollar industry. While the species remains the most popular game fish in the United States, it can now be found in many countries around the globe.

While the mighty largemouth receives the most attention, the lowly smallmouth bass should never be overlooked, especially when it comes to the quality of both the fight and the bite. And by bite, I mean the taste.

While trout and salmon certainly provide a fine meal, it’s difficult to top a pan full of bass fillets. Bass are readily available in the majority of our local lakes, ponds and rivers, and they are usually much easier to catch than trout or salmon. They are true predators. When they are on the prowl, they will hit just about anything tossed their way, including minnows, crayfish, leeches, frogs, hellgrammites and even fledgling birds that happen to fall out of their nest.

Bass are also one of the most widely dispersed game fish species in North and South America, and they can also be found in Europe, Australia, Africa, Hawaii, Japan and elsewhere.

In fact, the current world record bass came from a reservoir near Tokyo, Japan where bass were originally introduced to provide entertainment for the soldiers who were posted overseas in the wake of World War II.

Bass are also the most profitable species in terms of the money spent to catch them. Sales of bass rods, reels, lures and electronics, combined with flashy bass boats that resemble waterborne NASCAR cars, generates more money than all of the fresh water species combined.

In New York, the opening day of bass season always falls on the third Saturday in June, which conveniently coincides with Father’s Day weekend. Bass may be fished on a catch-and-release basis all year round in New York. The minimum size limit for bass is 12 inches, with a limit of five fish per day per angler.

While a majority of bass anglers focus their attention on the Adirondack region’s lakes and ponds, there are also opportunities to tangle with bass on local rivers and streams as well. In fact, bass are often more active in flowing waters during the day. They are also very active during the evening hours, especially while responding to surface poppers.

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On the water

Mother’s Day weekend, which arrives in early May has traditionally been the prime time to be on the ponds, trolling for brookies. Weatherwise, it is usually a pretty lousy time, with the omnipresent threat of snow, sleet or rain always in the air.

However, Father’s Day weekend, which rolls around in late June, is usually a bit more reliable. The season opener is no longer as important as it once was, as bass anglers are now allowed to fish for the species year round on a catch-and-release basis. The current season opener does not bring out the bass enthusiasts as it used to.

Another major change in the routine is the ever-growing popularity of bass fishing among female bass anglers, which just seems to grow in leaps and bounds. It’s a great time to be a female outdoor enthusiast.

Added into the equation are the annual free fishing days in New York, which allow anglers to fish without a license. It’s a great opportunity to introduce friends and family to the sport without the cost of admission. This year, the Free Fishing Weekend in New York will be hosted June 25-26.

Added into the equation are the annual free fishing days in New York, which allow anglers to fish without a license. It’s a great opportunity to introduce friends and family to the sport without the cost of admission. This year, the Free Fishing Weekend in New York will be hosted June 25-26.

In several downstate communities, parents and their children can now check out fishing rods at their local library with their library card. The “borrow a fishing pole program” is an initiative that originated with the Child & Nature Network, and it has become very popular in urban areas that provide easy access to the water.

While female hunters have been filling the ranks of the hunting community in recent years, they’re now responsible for boosting the angling community as well. Nearly 46 million Americans, or about 15.8 percent of the population, now take to the waters regularly according to research conducted by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

Female enthusiasts are considered the fastest growing demographic in the outdoor sporting industry, and they account for nearly half of all the first-time anglers on the water.

By the time bass season rolls around in the middle of June, the weather patterns are more predictable, the summer crowds have not yet arrived and the lakes are not yet filled with boaters. This provides a distinct advantage to the first ones on the scene, especially as the older, hold-over fish have not yet been pressured.

While most North Country bass anglers focus their outings on the region’s lakes and ponds, they often fail to take full advantage of the 30,000 miles of rivers and streams that flow throughout the region. As a result, there are many local waters that remain relatively untapped throughout the year. Bass enthusiasts like to work the larger, more accessible waters that are typically more hospitable to their larger, faster, flashier bass boats.

It is an unfortunate oversight, as some of the best action can be found on the lesser known local rivers and flows that are only accessible to canoes. In many cases, there are entire sections of such flows that remain largely untapped. While these locations offer remote sections, they are readily available to anyone with a canoe.

Commonly, the best fishing on the rivers is to found on the banks opposite the roadside. I’ve fished several productive sections of the Raquette River, as well as the lower Ausable, the Boquet and the Schroon rivers over the years. Although they’ve each coughed up a few nice trout, the feisty smallmouth were always the most entertaining to tangle with.

Bass can be found in many remote ponds throughout the region in the waters of Lows Lake and Hitchens Pond in the Bog River Flow Wilderness Area, the Whitney Wilderness, Stillwater Reservoir and in a variety of small rivers and streams all along the Raquette River watershed. During the summer months, bass can also be found in most of the Hudson River’s smaller tributaries, as well as in the inlets and outlets of the Great Sacandaga Lake and Indian Lake.

Although trout purists continue to scoff at the notion of pursuing bass with a flyrod, there are very few sport fish in the region that offer the wild entertainment, powerful runs and head-shaking, tail-dancing power of the hard-fighting smallmouth bass. Especially during the doldrums of the summer’s heat.

While largemouth are not as exciting as the acrobatic smallies, they can test both the tackle and tenacity of the angler when they retreat to the depths and just hang there.

One of the most overlooked largemouth fisheries in the region is Lincoln Pond near Witherbee. The pond features a comfortable state campground with several boat access sites and plenty of 4- to 5-pound largemouth for your entertainment. There is also the threat of tangling with tiger muskie that have been known to top 20 pounds or more.

The effects of a warming climate have increasingly reduced the viability of trout fishing during the long, dry summer season.

The warming trends have resulted in diminished water levels and stream flow. These changes have resulted in a reduction of dissolved oxygen content in many of our local rivers and streams, and it is projected to increase.

Cold-water species such as trout and salmon require cold, highly oxygenated waters in order to survive.

As the season progresses, and the heat of the summer arrives, bass can provide trout and salmon anglers with an exciting and readily available alternative that offers the excitement of leaping landlocks and the tender breaded fillets of a trout.

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Future woodswomen, future Olympians

As a parent with two daughters and a granddaughter, I recognize the importance and challenge of raising children in the Adirondacks, where there is a wealth of athletic activities that include outdoor recreational options. There is also a wide spectrum of social, artistic and musical opportunities.

Outdoor recreation was one of the consistent elements in my children’s upbringing, and it was pursued year round.

If children are not competent and confident in the outdoors, the Adirondack region can be a fearsome, frustrating and intimidating place to live. Fortunately, our children were involved in team sports at school and in the community. They also chose to pursue individual sporting activities such as skiing, track and field, kayaking, fishing and hunting. They also enjoyed team sports such as soccer, hockey and lacrosse, which taught them the importance of working as a team and supporting each other.

The benefits of these athletic and recreational pursuits are only now being realized as they begin careers in business and media. Their self confidence, responsibility and willingness to assume risk have served them well as they continue to grow.

I believe their Adirondack upbringing had a lot to do with their success. It hardened them to adversity and sharpened their people skills.

I believe the outdoor life also had a significant impact on their lives and life choices, in a very positive way.

These are just a few of the reasons I was happy to learn that local Olympic athlete Annelies Cook will be hosting a another Go Girls program at the Dewey Mountain Recreation Center this summer. The Go Girls program is aimed at getting girls outdoors, having fun as a group and empowering them to choose a healthy, active lifestyle. Participants enjoy hiking, paddling, running, biathlon, yoga activities and more with their peers while strengthening their love of the outdoors.

Registration is now open for sessions that begin in July and August and feature personal training in biathlon, hiking, paddle sports and yoga. Cook will also host a Go Ladies Outdoor Program that will teach women about training, fitness and staying in shape year round.

For further information or to register, contact Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters at 518-891-7450.